Method and apparatus for removing oil sands from oil wells



` D. P. GRAY July 8, 1952 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING 'OIL SANDSFROM OIL WELLS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 2. 1949 LLs D. P. GRAY METHODAND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING OIL. SANDS FROM OIL W Filed May 2, 1949 5Sheets-Sheet 2 CJNA B FG July 8, 1952 D P GRAY 2,602,516

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING OIL SANDS FROM OIL WELLS Filed May 2.1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 8, 1952 D. P. GRAY 2,602,516

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING OIL. SANDS FROM OIL. WELLS Filed May2. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 WELLS July 8, 1952 D. P. GRAY n APPARATUS FORREMOVING on. SAND METHOD AN S FROM OIL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 2,1949 TCSUV BF Patented .uy 8, 1952 UNITED 'STATES PATENTOFFICE fDavid-Paxton Gray," Lloyilniinster, Saskatchewan,

' Y Canada-v Appiicatiim May 2, wia-serial' No. 90,304-

, Y 13v yThis .invention relates-,to ratus for removing oil sand fromdrill holes,

1a Claims.- (el. iso-2m a method and 2113133- .A

and .more particularly to a circulating swab for use .in removing sandstage of oil wells.

It is necessaryV in many oil elds .in North America,'particularly in theLloydminster area,

during the 'development to remove a large quantity of oilsandyfrom the Yreservoir before placing the' Wellin commercial production. TheApresence of such sand .in the' during later operations, due to less pumpwear andthe smaller amount of servicing due to -sand pluggedoil pumpsrequired.V In addition, the productivity of the Well `is, usuallyimproved' and faster rates of oil recovery-are obtained.

,. .Two generalmethods are currently in'vgusewfor removingsand from oilwells. Ther-most common .oflthese is'that of- Bailing which is generally.carried out by ,lowering vthrough the conductor pipe casing a sectionofpiperequipped -with a `'fluid .type check valve at its lower endiAssthefoil comes into the well bore it is picked up bythe .bailer andIdeposited on the surface with the idea in mindl that if`tne oil isremoved -fast enough the loose sand willv be carried into the Well boreY and removed with theoil, Bailing operations,v lioweven require ,avconsiderable amount-oi time,

Yand the amount ofisandremovedkis not sommier-1-V surate economicallyto, the cost of theroperation. The second method ofremoving sandwhichisVcurrently in use is known as. the circulatingy method. This methodconsists.. in lowering a string pipe toV the bottomof .the wellandrei-roulating the sand out by pumpinga fiuiddow-nvthe pipe, forcingtheoiljsands outthroughthe annu- .lusgbetween Ythe string-jot pipe vandlthe casing. However, the :hydrostatic -headof the fluidvcolumn onthelsandiace prevents the entrance-into l'l'.helbor'eof additional sand,so thatonly a limited amount of' sand isoapable.- of removal in :thismanner. Y

Economic considerations makeV4 it desirable. to remove 'aSlarge as.possiblea quantity =off sand :ironia .new well in. as short atime,as-.epossibla order speedily to 'bring the well into v productionnatthefsame.-ti-me reducethe cost; of the daeupnimf they-Well.y

Aooordingly, it is the object of the present inventionr to provide' amethod of removing a large `quantity ofjoil sand :from anoil `well in arelatively. short period. v s

It-isV another object ofthe inventiongto provide `aV relatively simpleand .rugged appara-tus for carryirlefout the :aforesaid removal; I

It fisfa further object-of thei-nvention Ato provide such an apparatusAwhich will not become clogged or fouled by sand vduring normaloperatingY conditions.

It; is. a still further object ofv the provide lsuch an valcu'giaratuswhich, lwhen removed from the oil well bore, vwill leave `the same freefrom sand with the inside yofthe oil wellicasing clean.l y

Variousv other obiects and advantages of the invention willbecomehapparent as .each embodimentthereof is-described-.in detailin thefollowfv ing-specification. y w

According tov` the invention I .remove voil .sand from the reservoir 4ofan foilwell-:by causingtlie sands to cave inwardly 1by producingaredueed pressure in the4 vicinity Aoi" .the bottom of the well casing,circulating iiuid to ,wash .outthe .sands so dislodged-and repeatingl'theoperation ciency` of theoperation.

In-order to carry out the methodofthe invention, I employ a swab whichis lowered into :the oilwell casi-ng on a `stringiof pipe, the;periphery of the swab being adapted closely Ylsoft-:vine the insideofthe well casing. The s wabitself is provided with a vplurality of'longitudinal-charit .nels connecting `the `lower part of thej-wellborewith the. part thereof above-the iswab.. Valvev means-are providedineach of ythe vsaid y,channels permitting flow an upward direction, butfore- Venting flow therethrough in a downward direction. y Y f fPreferably, :accordingt0 -rivention, Il fprovide means.. for providingcommunication be tween the inside of the pipe and the interiorof the.bore casing, .operable trom the surfaceof .the ground, sothat `when theswab'isito ,ber-emoved iromjthe welt it! 'may be-,raised in theinvention to operable vfrom ground level.

next after that shown in Figure 7 wherein coinmunication has beenestablished between the interior of the pipe string and the interior ofthe bore casing.

Figure 9 illustrates in similar manner, the pulling of the swab.

Figure 16 similarly illustrates the operation of the-auxiliary means forvpreparingthe swab for removal from the bore.

ports only will allow the operator to apply pres-vr f sure against thebridge without putting same against the oil sand itself.

In brief, the operation of the device'is as follows: The swab is nrstlowered on a string oiv pipe into the well and when it is desired to re-Figure l1 illustrates circulation of iiuid above the swab followingoperation of the auxiliary means referred to above.

Referring now more particularly to the draw- Y ings, in Figures l, Zand3 an oil well casing is move sand, a reduced pressure is created inthereservoir at the bottom of the bore casing, byA raising the swab some toSi) feet, This reduc-- tion in pressure causes caving in of the loosesands in the neighbourhood of the bottom of the well casing and at thispoint, if necessary, circulating fluid isfpumped down the string `ofpipe,

to circulate in the reservoir, and rise through the annulus lbetweenthel pipe and the well casing, carrying the loosened sand with it. Asthe fluid is being circulated Uin this manner, the-swab is slowlylowered to its original-position in accordance with Vthe amount of fluidwithdrawn from the top of the annulus. Circulation of fluid is continueduntil according to the judgment of the operator it is desirable torepeat the operation. Checking total depth vof well or the drilling cinew hole can be accomplished by the lowering of and/ or rotation ofthecheck valve equipped drilling bit installed on the bottom oi the tailpipe. If, in the opinion' of the operator, a fluid mixture of sand andoiljeXists-below the swab, the swaby may be lowered without thecirculation of uid to the starting point. Another strokemay be taken,and again theresults observed. VIf continued displacement ojf thefluid-takes place it would be Safeto continue the swabbing action abovethe swabwithout circulation. In thesev cases the swab actually acts asthe plunger of a pump, the pipe as a connecting rod, the'well casing asthe barrel, andthe sand formation as a check valve.

One embodiment o 'the apparatus, accordingA to theinvention, isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, which also illustratediagrammatically the operation of the device.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a cross'sectional view of the circulatingswab according to the invention.

' Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the tubing stringabove the swab and containing the secondary circulating means which areFigure 3 is a cross section taken 3 3 ofFigure l.

Figure e is a diagrammatic illustration of the device according to theinvention, and the Vacalong the line and sand mix is iorcedup outthrough the annulus. Y Y

Figure 7 illustrates in similar manner the prep- 'eration of the swabfor removalfrom the hole. ll'igure S illustrates in similar manner, thestage 'to provide separate vloading for each swab'ring.

companying equipment in position at the bottom indicated at A and a swabaccording to the invention is situated within the casing as illus- Ytrated generally at B, The swab is generally cylindrical in shape andcomprises an inner tubular vportion. li) and an cuter cylindrical swabsupporting portion li connected to the portion lil by the web portionl2, in this case four in number, which dividethe annular space betweenthe portions lo and ll into four channels i3. It will be obvious, ofcoursathat the number of channels' i3 provided is purely arbitrary, agreater or lesser number than illustrated being equally as effective. Atthe lower end of each of the channels l3, the body of the swab B issuitably recessed to seat the valve seats lIt and suitable tapping isprovided to permit the screwing into position of the tightening glandsl5 which hold the valve seats I4 firmly vin position. An annular recessIGis provided on the outside of the tubular member io to allow for theproper entry of the glands lil when the same are being'screwed intoposition. The glands are also inside threaded to allow fitting ofiluidscreens to keep out large chunks of formation which might clog valves.Above each of the valve seats i4 is provided a steel ball adapted toseat on the valve seat, to

prevent flow of fluid therethrough in a downward direction and aY ballretainer pin il is provided for each ball Il to permit only limitedraising of the balls during flow through the valve in anupwarddirection. rihe outside of the cylindrical swab supporting memberll is suitably recessed as at i3 to provide for the seating of the lowerswab ring 26. This lower ring is retained in posivtion by the retainingring 2l which also acts as a seat for the swab rubber Illa. Swab rubbersI 9b and i90 are similarly seated and retained by theretaining rings Ziaand 2lb. The top swab rubber l 9d is retained above by the retainer ring2 lc which in turn is held tight by the gland ring 23 which isinterposed between it and the swab ring led and retaining ring 22. VThegland ring l23 is adapted to screw on left handed to a suitable screwthreaded portion 24 on the tubular vgland supporting portion l l. Theretaining rings 2l, 2l a and 2 lc are held by Allan set screws 5I Thebottom ring 2t is not intended to swab. It

ismade of hard rubber and will act as a guide rand to stop hardformation particles which might work behind the softer swab rubbers andinjure them. Any other arrangement of swab-ring designed to give asubstantially fluid-tight seal between the swab and the casing would, ofcourse, be equally effective.

rThe bypass ports 25 are provided in the inner tubular portion-Ill ofthe swab B providing communication between the interior thereof and eachofthe channels I3. 4The ports 25 are masked by the sleeve member 2E;Vwhich is provided with the ball seating shoulder 27 and the innerysurface ofv vwhich tapers upwardly.: as at. 28 so thatA thel'ballZQK'Seated-'on the shoulders 25|. preventsdownward flow civ iiuid: inthe pipe'string. The sleevervmember isA equippedwith rubber-rings 28 toprevent leakagethrough ports. The lower por. tion of the inner tubularportion l is shown `Vin the drawings as being inside threaded. asjat 3land adapted tobethreaded to the sleeve. retain-1 inglmember 32, which-ispreferably 'ofl the slightly outwardly buiging shape indicated, andwhich carries the bypass pin 33' which isv preferably madelof Asteel'.-f-'The sleeve-retaininglrnember- 32V isdesigr-ied-to; catch the sleeve.member. 2e: when tlf-'1e pins 39 have-l been sheared, land prevent. itfrom being'drcpped into the reservoir by: raising of1-theswabto thesurface. The member. 32- may be-disconnected andthe sleeve 26 recovered.

' The lower portion of-'the sleeyeretaining mem.-v ber 32 is threadedtoa flush joint with. the? tail pipe" 34 which is adapted. to. deliverthedown.- Wardly pumped-duid to .the Well reservoir through a-vcheck-valve-equipped drillingY bit.V (not shown) onthe-vbottomoi thetail pipe. Thecheck- Valve isfarranged toy keep fluid from. backingupinthe tail pipe. The upper end-ofl the inner tubular member lil. isexternally. threaded atA the portion 31fto connect tothe auxiliarysleeve.; supporting member 38- which is ofalarger. internalk diameterthan the adaptor. 36. The auxiliary sleevefsupporting member isscrew-threaded; atits upper end atvthe. portion 39. forconnection tothepipe 40, andthe ports Mare provided through the walls thereoftoprovidecommunication between the inside ofi the well casing and thefinside of the-tube. 38. The ports Hare masked, by the auxiliarysleeveememberf 4,3. This.sleeye.fmemf4 ber is. equippedwith. a rubberseal ring, provided with a seating shoulder 4.4. The innersurfacepf .thesleeve-.member 43 is outwardly tapered over thev portion 45; similar to.the portions 2.8,in the sleevesmember.A 26, rll'le auxiliary;`sleeve-mem; loer. ll'3v is reta-inedin positonby Ythe s hetA pins4.6whicharesimilar in nature to the, pinsV 3.0,v A plug-41 is adapted tobelowered onthewireeef cured inthebail veye Band the lower. end thereofcarries-a ball Q'Lwhich isaolaptedto seat, on. .the seating shoulder 4.4to. preventdownward flower fluid. w-ithin`the interior of. the. pipestring:l be-.f .ynnd that ,point-l, Increased downward pressure vor ahammering action will causetheshear pins 46:.-to shear allowing theauxiliary-sleevermembel? 3.8.. to dropdowrrthe. tube and rest on thetop5B of the adaptor member,l 3.6i." Y

-. Figures 4.to 11;inclusiyeillustrat.dietgrammlir leally.tneoperationcf the device.'A Eeurelxa swab B aceerdingtothe inrentionis.illustrated 11.1

positionwithn awelleasine A. prior; to the Carryine.. out of.; the..removal of. the. sand.. The swab B is supported on the pipe string.@whichpasses through the; headerD.. A. flexible.Y counlinezl'for.thezeireularineline is provided. at tlJeftQnOEtbe ou.. :iig-pi eateh1.f0reis. mat ials...whi.c might drop wn @and ieu-l tbe-swab@ .The.cheelevalve means Wit.. in

the swab are illustrated bythe channels. F. and; they; balls.. while thesleeve. member within. the. swab is' illustrated at` I-Ii; Theundliar-YA Sleeve. memberr-abovethe. swabisillustrated at J pumped.down: thev pipe. string C is de liyered` to the bottom of the Well.throughv thotail.` pipe, and check4r valve equipped. drilling bit- (notshown). The. tailpipe is madeupfinseetions to allowior. the-variouslengths required. Y Figure 5 shows dagrammatieallythe. operation ofVrais-ing. the swabt to. cause reduced pressure; in. the. vicinityof thebottom; ofthe wall. It. .;willv be. seen .that theswab. has. beenraised. which closes the yalvesfG, reducing. the pressure. in spalle;thereby.` causingv loose sands tocave inwardly?. Y

Figure fillustrates the .operation of" circulating uidto washtheloose-sands.l out ofi thegwell is-indicated bythe arrows,fluidisnumpedzdown. the pipe. string C, out. through thetail piper. intothe space. MWhere loose sand is, ent-rained, The fluid is then forced upthrough,- thee. Casing', causing thezballsin the check-valves to benny.sea-ted. and passes. upwardly throughgthev channels F and; 'upthrough-Vthe annulus. il` to; the surface where; it is drawn off at the casing.-head and passed to thekv settling tank-s- (notr shown) befolf beingrfc-circulated. It will be noted thatv the swab vBv has.` been partially:lowered toits original, position. This, is vdonein accordance with theamountof .uid removedthroueh the-.casing-head Not; specificallyillustrated, is the action-v pre vicusly` referred to whereby theswabisi lowered for a second stroke, withoutv circulating fluid. TheWeight of the pipe string forces theJ swab through the sand-oil mixture,said mixture beine retained. in. thehole-.by theformatiomsresistanceand. thereby being directed through the. cheek vals/esto aposition;above. 'lheoreratorwill .repeat this.. Operation as many times eseneeesserr to obtain. @Satisfactory conditi. Slelid'eandfer particlesnoti .floated up from t bottom. willbe circulated; out.; asberetoforedescribed..

Figure?? illustrates the operation :of preparing the; swab. forltsremoval from; the. well. emil showsfthecondition ef. tbeewebimmediately fbfefore the. ball. 2.9V le flreppeelV from. thewell .headdown the. eine strinse etftbissteeethe reser- Voir M vfull of cleanluidand itr isl desiredto raise the swabout Vofthe jwell witlfiout.dislodg'ing any more Sand which might. become entefled with; theoil andclos.,theaulne-VV f Figure 8,illustrates, the opening of the bypassports 25 inthe swablpermitting..communication between. tliejiuterier 0fthepiee. String andthe channels E inthe swab- Itlwill beseen that theports! are Vnow.fopen. and the sleeve. with the ball seated onthe, valveseat, withinfit has dropped, and. is. henry .rheretainerfata TheAshearing of the pins. holding the. sleeyehas been accorn plshel. bypumppressure. applied in. a down-V ward direction. by the uid. within. the.Dine string. n. Figure 9 illustrates the. next step whieh'bonisists in*thel pullingfof the K swab, and asindicated by the arrows; thefludebove the. eWob--W.i. tbe annulus. N llewsdewn through thelebami.Fi. through.the portsp25-lnto the. pipe string. and down. pest-- the;Sleeve. retainer Re. anda down thlQllg'h theta-l1 Vpipe K.Theffreedomfofthe fluids: to move, as indicatedy prevents any-neuh.stantial' lowering. of; pressure within the.` reserv oir .M so, that.there. isf. no further tendency.- for sand? to.V care into.. it,-.. and.when thef-swabeisnallyremoved: the:y well: is: left: freer from. sand.Eigure' 10:. illustrates ther. 'operationoff.A the auxiliarysleevefmeans 'J In theevent that cir# culation cannot belobtained dueto aclogging of the swab, or a large amount loi sand beingleft above theswab, preventing it from being pulled, the auxiliary sleeve meansarecalled into operation and the' plunger b'ar Sis lowered into the pipestring on lthe cable T to sit on` the shoulders 44 in the auxiliarysleeve J. At this stage, cir=` culating fluid is pumped downthe .pipestring from the circulating pump and forces the sleeve J in a` .downwarddirection, shearing the retainer'pins and opening the ports U. vThis canalsolbel 'done by a hammering action on Ithe sleeve. The sleeve" isprevented from falling down the pipe'. to any extent, by the shoulder Vandfin Figure 11,- circulation about the swab through the `ports U .isillustrated. This circulation cleans out the casing removing the sandand the like, which has lodged abovek the swab and prevented itsremoval. Following the circulation indicated in Figure l1, the plungerbar S may be removed, and the' swab may be with drawn without furtherloosening of the loose sands in the reservoir, as illustrated in Figure9.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides avery simple and easily operated method for removing as large a quantityof sand from an oil'well as is desired. Furthermore, the operation is'one which may be carried outin a relatively short time, and may becompletely' controlled from the surface without the necessity forcontinually pulling and ree placing of operating parts.

I claim: f

ll.. A method of removing oil sands and the like from oil wellscomprising causing a reduced pressure at the lower endfof an oil well byraising a swab in the lower portions of the well casing, whereby tocause inward collapse or" loose sands in the Vicinity of the endof theswab casing, washing vthe saidfloose sands out of the well bycirculating fluid therethrough and simultaneously with such washing Vandsubstantially in accordance with the amount of fluid removed irombelowthe said swab lowering the said swab to its original position,the'sequence of operations being repeated until sufcient sand and thelike has been removed from the well to 'render the same fit for lfurtherdevelopment, fluid communication beingv festablished in a downwarddirection throughthe swab, and removingthe swab fromthe well casingwhereby fluid may freely flow downwardly past the said swab during theremoval thereofV and the consequent maintenance of the pressure of nthefluid column prevents ,f urther loosening of sand in asY the vicinity ofthe bottom of'thezwell casing and the casing itself is left'in a clearcondition substantiallyi'reefrom sandl and rthe like.

2. A method of removing oil sands and the like from oil wells comprisingcausing a reduced pressure at the lower end of an oil well by rais-'inga swab .in the lower portions of the well casing, whereby te 'causeinward 'collapse of .loose-fsads in the vicinity of the end of theswab'casi'ng, lwashing the said loose sands out ofthe well bycirculating :duid therethrough and simultaneously with such washing andsubstantially in accordance with the amount of fluid Vremoved from belowthe said swab lowering the saidswab to its original position, the fluidcirculation being continued until the bulb ofthe sandrwvhich has beeninwardly collapsed has ,been raised Aabove theVV level ofthe swab, theseguence oi" 'operationsxbeing repeated. until sufflcient sandland thelike has been removed from the well to render `the same fit1 for furtherdevelopment, lduid ,communication being established in a, downwarddirection through the swab, and removing the swab from the well casingwherebyiluid may freely cw downwardly past the said `swab during theremoval thereof and the consequent maintenance of the` pressure ofthefluid column prevents further loosen-'- ing of sand inthe vicinity ofthe bottom of -the well casing, and the casing itself is left in aclear'condition substantiallyfree from sand and the like; Y Y I `3.Apparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered into an oil well casing and raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely to t the interior of said casing,means within said swab forpermitting flow of fluid between theY portion of the wellbelow said swaband the annular portion above said swab between said string of pipe andthe casing in an upward direction only, land pumping means for pumpingIiuid down said string of pipe to a point of discharge below said swab,the said swab comprising an outer cylindrical portion designed to swabthe inside of the casing,` an inner tubular portion adapted to conn nectwith said string of pipe and conduct iiuid pu'znped therethrough, and aplurality of web members circumferentially lspaced in the annular spacebetweensaid inner tubular portion and said outer cylindrical portion,dividing said space into a plurality of channels, and check valve meansdisposed within said channels designed to permit ow of fluidtherethrough in an upward direction only.

4. Apparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered into an` oil well casing and raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely to fit the interior of said casing, means within said swab forpermitting flow of fluid between the portion of the wellbelow said swaband the annular portion above said swab between said string of pipe andthe casing in an upward direction only, and pumping means for pumpinguid down said string of pipe to a point of discharge belowsaid swab, thesaid swab comprising an outer cylindricalportion designedV to swab theinside of the casing, an inner tubular portion adapted to con.- nectwith said string of pipe and conduct fluid pumped therethrough, and aplurality of web members circumferentially spaced in the annular space-between said inner tubular portion and said outer cylindrical portion,dividing said space into a' Vplurality of channels, and check valvemeans disposed within said channels designedto permit flow of fluidtherethrough in an upward direction only, the said check valve meanscomprising Valve seat 'means within each of saidchannels, ball membersadapted to seat upon said valve seat means and retaining means abovesaid ball members adapted to limit upwardV motion thereof.

Y 5. Apparatus for removing sand and the like fromoil wells 'comprisinga swab adapted to be lowered into an oil well casing and raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab anddesigned,v closely to fit the interior of saidvcasing, means within'saidswab `for permitting ow of uid between the portion of the well below'said swab and the annular portion above said swab between said stringVof pipe and 9, the-casing in an upward direction only, and pumping.means for pumping iiuid down said stringof vpipe to a point ofdischarge below said swab, the said swab comprising an outer cylindricalportiondesignecl to swab the inside of the casing, an inner tubularvportion adapted to connect with said string Aof pipe and conduct fluidpumped therethrough, a 4plurality of web members circumferentiallyspaced in the annular Aspace between said vinner tubular portion andsaid outer cylindrical portion, dividing saidspace into a plurality ofchannels, the said inner tubular portion having means Vtherein forestablishing fluid communication between the interior ,thereof and theinterior of said channels, the said means being operable from groundlevel, and check valve means disposed within said channels designed topermit iiow of uid therethrough inan upward direction only.y

v6. AApparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprisinga swab adapted to be lowered into an oil well casing and raised and-lowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swaband 'designedclosely to fit the interior of said casing, means within said swab forpermitting flow of iiuid between the portion of the well below said swaband the annular portion above said swab between said string of pipe andthe casing in an upward direction only, and pumping means for pumpingfluid down said string of pipe to a point 'of discharge below saidswab,the said swab comprising an outer cylindricalportion designed toswab the inside of the casing, .an inner tubular portion adapted toconnect with said string of pipe and conduct uid pumped therethrough, aplurality of web members circumferentially spaced in the annular .spacebetween said inner tubular portion and said outer cylindrical portion,dividing said space into -a plurality of channels, the said innertubular'portion having means therein for establishing iiuidcommunication between the interior thereof and the interior of saidchannels, the said means being operable from ground level, and checkvalve means disposed within said channels designed to permit now of uidtherethrough in an upward direction only, the said check valve meanscomprising valve seat means within each of said channels, ball membersadapted to seat upon said valve seat means and retaining means abovesaid ball members adapted to limit upward motion thereof.

7. Apparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered into an oil well casing Sand raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected 5to said swab and designedclosely vto fit the interior of .said casing, -means within said swabfor per- Initting flow of fluid between the portion of the -well belowsaid swab and the annular portion above -said swab between said stringof pipe and the casing in an upward direction only, and pumping meansfor pumping iiuid down said string of pipe to a point of discharge belowsaid swab, thesaid swab comprising an outer cylindrical portion designedto swab the inside of vthe casing, an inner tubular portion adapted toconnect with said string of pipe and conduct iiuid pumped therethrough,a plurality of web members circumferentially spaced in the annular spacebetween said inner tubular portion rand said outer cylindrical portion,dividing said space into a plurality of channels, the said inner tubu-.lar portion having means therein for establishing fluidcommunicationbetween the interior thereof and the interior of' s'aidchannels, the said means being operable `from ground level, the saidcommunicating means comprising ka series 'oi ports in said tubularportion communicating with said channels, a sleeve' member designedclosely to it the interior of said tubular portion and adapted to masksaid ports, said sleeve member being retained in position masking saidports by shearable pin means passing through suitable borings in saidtubular portion and said sleeve member, said sleeve member having avalve seat formed therein, and a ballmember insertable from the 'top ofsaid pipe .string and adapted to seat on said valve seat, said shearablepin means being shearable by pressure exerted ,by `said pumping meanswhen said ball member is seated on-said valve seatin said sleeve member,and check valve-means disposed within said channels designed to `permitflow of fluid therethrough in an upwarddirection only. v s

8. Apparatus for removing sand and thelike from oil wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered into van oil well casing and raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designed-closely to nt the interior of said jcasing, means `within said swab forpermitting flow of fluid between the Aportion of the well below saidswabandthe 'annular portion above said swab between said Vstring lof pipeand the casing in an upward direction only, and pumping means forpumping uid down said string of pipe to a point of discharge below saidswab, the said swab comprising lan outer cylindrical portion designed toswab the inside of the casing, an inner tubular portion adapted to`connect with lsaid string of pipe and conduct Huid pumped therethrough,a plurality-of web members circumferentially spaced in the `annularspace between said inner tubular portion and said outer cylindricalportion dividing vsaid space into a pluralityof channels, the said-innertubular portion 'having means therein Vfor establishing fluid-communication between the interior thereof and the interior of saidchannels, the said means fbeing operable from ground level, the `saidcommunicating means comprising a series of ports in said-tubularporition communicating with said channels, fa sleeve member designedclosely -to iitthe interiorfof said tubular portion and adapted to mask'said ports,` said sleeve member beingv retained in .position maskingsaid portsby rshearable pin means passing through suitable borings insaid tubular porti-on and said sleeve member, said sleeve member havingavalve seat formed therein, anda ball member insertable'from the .top ofA'said pipe string and adapted to seat on said valve seat said shearablepin means being shearable by pressure exerted by said pumping means when:said ball member is seated onsaid valve seat in said sleeve member,and-check valve means disposed within said channels designed to permitflow' of -fluid therethrough lin an Aupward-direction only, the saidcheck valve means comprising valvel seat .means within each of saidchannels, ball members adapted to vseat upon said valve seat means andretaining means above'said balll members adapted to limit upward motionthereof.

9. Apparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered into an `oil well casing-and raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely to fit the inte'- rior 'of said casing, ymeans within saidswabifor permitting flow of fluid vbetween the portionof the well belowsaid swab and the annular 'portion above said swab between said stringof pipe and the casing in an upward direction only, and pumping vmeansfor pumping fluid down said string of pipe to a point of discharge belowsaid swab, the said swab comprising an outer cylindrical portiondesigned to swab the inside of the casing, an inner tubular portionadapted to connect with said string of pipe and conduct iluid pumpedtherethrough, a plurality of web members circumferentially spaced in theannular space between said inner tubular portion and said outercylindrical portion, dividing said space into a plurality of channels,the said inner tubular portion having means therein for establishingfluid communication between the interior thereof and the interior ofsaid channels, the said means being operable from ground level, the saidcommunicating means comprising a series of ports in said tubular portioncommunicating with said channels, a sleeve member designed closely tofit the interior of said tubular portion and adapted to mask saidportssaid sleeve member being retained in position masking said ports byshearable pin means passing through suitable borings in saidV tubularportion and said sleeve member, said sleeve member having a valve seatformed therein and a ball member insertable from the top of said pipestring adapted to seat on said valve seat, said shearable pin meansbeing shearable by pressure exerted by said pumping means when said ballmember is seated on said valve seat in said sleeve member, retainingby-pass pin means below said sleeve member, designed to prevent saidsleeve member from dropping out the end of said pipe string after theshear pin means have been sheared and the sleeve member has unmaskedsaid ports, and check valve means disposed within said channels designedto permit flow of uid therethrough in an upward direction only.

10. Apparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered into an oil well casing and raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely to iit the interior of said casing, means within said swab forpermitting flow of uid between the portion of the well below said swaband the annular portion above said swab between said string of pipe andthe casing in an upward direction only, and pumping means for pumpingfluid down said string of pipe to a point of discharge below said swab,the said swab comprising an outer cylindrical portion designed to swabthe inside of the casing, an inner tubular portion adapted to connectwith said string of pipe and conduct fluid pumped therethrough, aplurality of web members circumferentially spaced in the annular spacebetween said inner tubular portion and said outer cylindrical portiondividing said space into a plurality of channels, the said inner tubularportion having means therein for establishing fluid communicationbetween the interior thereof and the interior of said channels, the saidmeans being operable from ground level, the said communicating meanscomprising a series of ports in said tubular portion communicating withsaid channels, a sleeve member designed closely to nt the interior ofVsaid tubular portion and adapted to mask said ports, said sleeve memberbeing retained inposition masking said ports by shearable pin meanspassing through suitable borings in said tubular portion Vand saidsleeve member, said sleeve member having a valve seat formed therein anda ball memi2 ber insertable from the top of said pipe string and adaptedto seat on said valve seat said shearable pin means being shearable by'pressure eX- erted by said pumping, means when said ball member isseated on said valve seat in said sleeve member, retaining by-pass pinmeans below said sleeve member, designed to prevent'said sleeve memberfrom droppingA out the `end oi' said pipe string after the shear pinmeans have been sheared and the sleeve member has unmasked said ports,and check valve means disposed within said channels designed to permitflow of fluid therethrough in an upward direction only, the said checkvalve means `comprising valve seat means within each of said channels,ball members adapted to seat upon said valve seat means and retainingmeans above said ball' members adapted to limit upward motion thereof.

11. Apparatus for removing sand and the' like from oil wells comprisinga swab adapted to be lowered into an oil well casing and raised andlowered therein on astring of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely to t the interior of said casing, means within said swab forpermitting flow of fluid between the portion of the well below said swaband the annular portion above said swab between said string of pipe andthe casingV in an upward direction only, secondary means above said swaband carried by said pipe string and the annulus between said pipe stringand the well casing, said means being operable from ground level, andpumping means for pumping fluid down said string of pipe to a point ofdischarge below said swab, the said. swab comprising an outercylindricalportion designed to swab the inside of the casing, an innertubular portion adapted to connect with said string of pipe and conductfluid pumped therethrough, and a plurality of web memberscircumferentially spaced in the annular space between said inner tubularportion and said outer cylindrical portion, dividing said space into aplurality of channels, and check valve means disposed within saidchannels designed to permit flow of fluid therethrough in an upwarddirection only.

12. Apparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered into an oil well casing and raised 'andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely to fit the interior of said casing, means within said swab forpermitting now of liquid between the portion of the well below said swaband the annular portion above said swab between said string of pipe andthe casing in an upward direction only, pumping means for pumping fluiddown said string'of pipe to a point of discharge below said swab,secondary means above said swab and carried by said pipe string and theannulus between said pipe string and the well casing, said means beingoperable from ground level, the said swab comprising an outercylindrical portion designed to swab the inside of the casing, an innertubular portion adapted to connect with said string of pipe and conductfluid pumped therethrough, and a plurality of web memberscircumferentially spaced in the annular space between said inner tubularportion and said outer cylindrical portion, dividing said space into aplurality of channels, and check valve means disposed within saidchannels designed to permit flow of duid therethrough in an upwarddirection only, the said check valve means comprising valve seat meanswithin each ofV said channels, 'ball members ennemie the well below saidswaband 'the famiularspor tion above `saidzswa'b between saidstringofipipe and :the .casing in .an upward fdirection-fnnly, pumpingVmeans for .pumping nuid .down said String of pipe Ato a point of.discharge below .said

swab, secondary meansabove saidswaband ,can ried by said ,pipe stringand the annulus between saidpipe string and the well casing, said meansbeing operable from vground level, the :said iseeondary means comprisingat least onefluid port in "said vstring wall, sleeve means .adapted .tomask saldport on theinside thereof, valve seat lmeans y.within saidsleeve large. enoughto permit passage of rthe ball vmeans which operates'said communication means in the swab, and valve .v

closing means adapted to be `lowered `into vsaid pipe string from .theAtop thereof, said .sleeve be*- ing retained in :position ,masking :saidports by shear pin means, shearable yby the `-pressure 'of the pumpmeans when .said valve closing means is seated on said valve seat.

'1.4. Apparatus for removing sandand the like Vfrom oil wells comprisinga swab adapted :t be lowered into an oil well casing and vraised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely to fit the interior of said casing, ball means within said swabfor permitting dow of fluid between the portion of the well below saidswab and the annular portion above said swab Ibetween said string ofpipe and the casing in an-upwarcl .direction only, pumping means forpumping fluid down said tring of pipe to a point of discharge belowsaidswab, the said swab comprising an outer cylindrical portion designed toswab the inside of the casing, an inner tubular portion adapted toconnect Iwith said string of pipe and conduct fluid pumped therethrough,and a plurality Vof web members circumferentially spaced in the annularspace between said inner tubular portion and said outer cylindricalportion, dividing said space into a plurality of channels, and checkvalve means disposed within said channels designed to permit flow offluid therethrough in an upward direction only, secondary means abovesaid swab and carried by said pipe string and the annulus between saidpipe string and the well casing, said means being operable from groundlevel, the said secondary means comprising at least one iuid port insaid string wall, sleeve means adapted to mask said port on the insidethereof, valve seat means within said sleeve large Aenough to permitpassage of the ball means which operates said communication means in theswab, and valve closing means adapted t0 be lowered into said pipestring from the top thereof, said sleeve being retained in positionmasking said ports by shear pin means, shearable 4by the pressure of thepump means when .said valve closing means is seated on said valve seat.

15. Apparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered into an oil well casing and raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely to t the interior .orfsaid casing, ball means within.saidiswab--fior permitting flow :of liquid between the portion :of thevYwell below said :swab .and .the-.annulara'por tion .above .said swabbetween zsaid string' nf .-pipe and fthe vcasing' in ian upwardVrdirection --,only, pumping means :for pumping fluid dow-n.said stringof ppeto a point of discharge below said swab, 4the said swab comprising.an outer ,cylin- -drical vportion'designed to swab the inside -of thecasing, an `.inner .tubular 4portion adaptedto conneet with said string`of pipe and conduct :fluid pumped therethrough, Yand a plurality ofwebmembers oircumferentially 'spacedin the annular space between said innertubular portion Vand said outer ycylindrical portion, dividing saidspace into a plurality of channels, and check valve means disposedwithin said channels designed to permit flow of uid therethrough'fin.

an upward direction only, the said check valve means .comprising valveseat `means y'within Veach of said channels, ball ,members .adapted `toseat upon .said valve yseat Vmeans land .retaining means above `saidball members adapted to'limit iupward ymotion thereof, secondary Ameansabove said 'swab and carried by said pipe vstring and the annulusbetween said pipe string Yand the well casing, said Lmeans beingoperable from ground level, the said secondary means comprising atleast'one fluid port insaid 'string wall, sleeve means adapted to masksaid 'port on .the inside thereof, vvalve Vseat 'means within saidsleevelarge enough to permit passage of 'the ball means which operatessaid lcommunication means inthe swab, and valve closing means adapted tobe lowered into said pipe Istring Y'from thetop thereof, said sleevebeingzretained `iri`position Amasking said ports by shear pin means,shearable by the pressure of the pumpmeans when said valve closing meansis seated on said valve seat. i

16. Apparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprising'a swab adapted vto vbe lowered 'into an oil well casing and raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely lto fit the interior yof said casing, ball means within saidswab vfor permitting flow of uid between the portion of the well belowsaid swab and the annular portion above said swab between said string ofpipe and the casing in an upward direction only, pumping means forpumping iiud down said string of pipe to a point of discharge below saidswab, secondary means above said swab and carried by said pipe stringand the annulus between said pipe string and the well casing, said meansbeing operable from ground level, the sadsecondary means comprising atleast one fluid port in said string wall, sleeve means adapted to masksaid port on the inside thereof, valve seat means within said sleevelarge enough to permit passage of the ball means which operates saidcommunication means in the swab, and valve closing means adapted to belowered into said pipe string from the top thereof, comprising a plungerbar having a substantially hemispherical lower end adapted to seat onthe valve seat and hoisting means connected to the upper end of saidplunger bar, said sleeve being retained in position masking said portsby shear pin means, shearable by the pressure of the pump means whensaid valve closing means is seated on said valve seat.

17. Apparatus for removing sand andthe like from o'il wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered intoan oil well casing and raised and loweredtherein on a string of pipe connected to above said swab between saidstring of pipe and the casing in an upward direction only, Dumping meansfor pumping fluid down said string of pipe to a point of discharge belowsaid swab, the said swab comprising an outer cylindrical portiondesigned to swab the inside of the casing, an inner tubular portionadapted to connect' with said string of pipe and conduct fluid pumpedtherethrough, and a plurality of web members circumferentially spaced inthe annular space between said inner tubular portion and said outercylindrical portion, dividingl said space into a plurality of' channels,and check valve means disposed within said channels designed to permitflow of fluid therethrough in an upward direction only, secondary meansabove said swab and carried by said pipe string and the annulus betweensaid pipe string and the well casing, said means being operable fromground level, the said secondary means comprising at least one iluidport in said 'string wall, sleeve means adapted to mask said port on theinside thereof, valve seat means within said sleeve large enough topermit passage of the ball means which operates said communication meansin the swab, and valve closing means adapted to be lowered into saidpipe string from the top thereof, comprising a plunger bar having a'substantially hemispherical lower end adapted to seat on the valve seatand hoisting means connected to the upper end of said plunger bar, saidsleeve being retained in position masking said ports by shear pin means,shearable by the pressure o the pump means when said valve closing meansis seated on said valve seat.

18. Apparatus for removing sand and the like from oil wells comprising aswab adapted to be lowered into an oil well casing and raised andlowered therein on a string of pipe connected to said swab and designedclosely to t the interior of said casing, ball means with'm said swabfor permitting flow of liquid between the portion of the well below saidswab and the annular portion above said swab between said string o pipeand the casing in an upward direction only, pumping means for pumpingfluid down said string of pipe to a point of discharge below said swab,the said swab comprising an outer cylindrical portion designed to swabthe inside of the casing, an 'inner tubular portion adapted to connectwith said string off pipe and conduct fluid pumped therethrough, and aplurality of web members circumferentially spaced in the annular spacebetween said inner tubular portion and said outer cylindrical portion,dividing said space into a plurality of channels, and check valve meansdisposed within said channels designed to permit flow of fluidtherethrough in an upward direction only', the said check valve meanscomprising valve seat means within each of said channels, ball membersadapted to seat upon said valve sea-t means and retaining means abovesaid ball members adapted to limit upward motion thereof, secondarymeans above said swab and carried by said pipe string and the annulusbetween said 'pipe string and thc well casing, said means being operablefrom ground level, the said secondary means comprising at least oneiluid port in said string wall, sleeve means adapted to mask said porton the inside thereof, valve seat means within said sleeve large enoughto permit passage of the ball means which operates said communicationmeans in the swab, and valve closing means adapted to be lowered intosaid pipe string from the top thereof, comprising a plunger bar having asubstantially hemispherical lower end adapted to seat on the valve seatand hoisting means connected to the upper end of said plunger bar, saidsleeve being retained in position masking said ports by shear pin means,shearable by the pressure of the pump means when said valve closingmeansr is seated on saidvalve seat.

- DAVID PAXTON GRAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following lreferences are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

